I think there could be a nice market for renting velos while visiting Europe. I don't suppose that is a publicly offered option?

This Velo stays here. My friend Johann already has a buyer lined up for it. I shipped the one from last year home with me as checked luggage with Lufthansa. Technically you can do it, but I would not do it again. I already have Urban serial #1 at home and will likely sell it on a couple months and get one of the new production models. They’ll be making some excellent improvements based off the info I gather from this trip. While theoretically this is a vacation, it’s just as much sole intensive testing of the new model.

Spoiler: looks like rain is projected every day for the foreseeable future. I may need to dig the foam cover out more often than not. I regret not bringing the remote with for my GoPro.

This is a new veto for you? How does it ship home at the end of the tour?

I'm following along with interest. It's a shame you got wet on your very first ride. But, you got it out of the way!

I may have to wait until I get home to post maps. I don’t think I can link those using my phone. I travel ultralight and won’t have a computer with me. When I was in Südtirol a couple years ago I used the Bikeline Südtirol guidebook to help with route planning. The area from Reschen See to Bozen, down beyond Trento, up to the Brenner Pass, and over to Lienz in Austria is all excellent cycle path. From Brixen to Toblach is largely an uphill battle, but Toblach to Lienz involved almost no pedaling. I do not recommend der Langen Weg der Dolomiten with a recumbent. The dirt trail was sketchy. Everyone else was wisely riding a mountain bike. The main Radwegs are the Etsch and Eisack Radwegs. Paved Converter rail trails. Great riding.

I don’t actually like challenges. I would gladly take transport over the passes if a velomobiel would fit. Really I just want to go zoom zoom down some really nice trails with nice scenery. I don’t even like Italy :)

Ben,

I look forward to following along with you. We rode in Europe for the first time last summer, Spain/Portugal. Our plan is to return and try other regions. I am interested in your mention of paved bike paths in northern Italy. Please include daily maps if at all possible, for those of us who would like to ride in your tracks! I ride an eight foot long Phoenix recumbent - I get the flavor of your mobility issues. But, the ride is so sweet!

M crossing my fingers that you get good weather!

You really like challenges! I used to like to do climbing on my bike but now I prefer it when I’m hiking. I hope all goes well for you.

Yes. So the section between Laas and Goeflan. Pretty spot. I went through there both coming and going a couple years ago. Conditions must vary based on rainfall. It wasn't bad when I went through. I've ridden much worse spots. For instance some of the designated trail north of Brixen which was hike-a-bike quality trail. Your bearings/hub may have been on their last legs. MTBs take awfully hard hits and keep on ticking. Unless the parts spec'ed in your tandem were awfully cheap parts, a step down like that shouldn't have broken anything. Due to ground clearance I end up picking up the velo over transitions like that. Thanks for the warning. I'll be extra careful in that section, assuming it is passable after all the projected rain.

Hi Ben - I’m pretty sure we were on the right route but I’m never 100 percent sure about anything. Here’s a link to our journal entry for that day. https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/courageuxalps/day-7-glurns-to-meran-abandon-at-goflan/

The part of the path I’m referring to is at the end of the ridewithgps map. We walked and coasted the last few km with a broken rear hub.

I’ll let you judge how best to take our experience into account.

Glurns to Meran is a long stretch. I rode it back in 2021 was it? I only recall two spots with any gravel. One I have already found a route around. The other passes right along the river through a nature preserve. I don't recall it being as bad as you're describing. Are you sure you were on the signed Radweg? It's the stretch between Laas and Goeflan. I don't want to be on the main road and the only other road around goes 750ft up over 1.6 miles. I'd rather get out and push my velomobile. I'll have come up the Reschen pass earlier in the day. Good warning to have though. It looks like there's been a lot of rain and more forecasted, so I guess that stretch could be highly unpleasant. I'll give it some more thought.

Hi Ben - You’ve probably already figured this out, but based on our experience in 2022, I would try to avoid the stretch of bike path between Glurns and Meran. My memory is a bit hazy at this point, but I remember it as being very much a “trail”. The surfaces were difficult (think dirt and mud) and the bridge entrances sat pretty high up over the trail. So there were large steps up to each bridge and again down off the bridge. We broke a rear hub on our tandem in there. At least until Göflan, I’d stay on the road to preserve your velomobile. HTH

Wow, that is ambitious! Good luck. Can’t wait to follow along. I think you’re right about northern Italy though - some of those long paved bike paths should work out great for you.